Environmental Sciences on the Norwich Research Park

Some of the world’s leading research into environmental sciences is underway on the Norwich Research Park particularly at UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences which offers one of the best environmental sciences undergraduate courses in the UK if not the world. The site also hosts the national headquarters of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. In 2003, the Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research opened on the University campus, reinforcing the resolute cross-disciplinary commitment to addressing environmental challenges. This initiative is aimed at drawing together the different approaches and provides physical accommodation for several of the research centres.

A broad approach is taken to environmental science in Norwich and particular scientific questions and challenges are considered in socio-economic and political contexts. Climatologists, geologists, mathematicians, chemists, ecologists, population biologists, economists and oceanographers are among the wide spectrum of NRP researchers involved. As well as collecting data through extensive field work, remote sensors and satellites, they use virtual environments, geographical information systems and computer modelling, believing that such a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental to addressing the impact of environmental issues and to integrate scientific data with policy and decision-making.

Quick Links

Climate change

Renewable Energy

Oceans, land and atmosphere - processes and interactions

Pollution

Management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity

Waste management

Risk

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Climate change

Climate change is arguably the most significant factor affecting the future of life on our planet. Whilst the Earth’s temperature has naturally fluctuated throughout its history, there is little doubt that it is getting warmer unusually rapidly at present, and that much of this increase in temperature is due to human activities. Researching climate change demands a number of different approaches; including monitoring the global temperature record, modelling the impact of climate change on humanity and the environment in the past and future, and monitoring unusual weather patterns, such as storms. Such information feeds directly into advice for policy decisions made by Governments and Industry, a regular activity for researchers at various centres on the NRP, including the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. Practical means of reducing personal and business impact on the climate are coordinated by the Community Carbon Reduction Programme (CRed). The experts at CRed at UEA have a range of schemes and advice on saving carbon dioxide including their carbon pledge. The effects of climate change are likely to have the most severe impact on people in living in developing countries. An interdisciplinary team with the School of Development Studies is investigating the potential effects on people's lives and recommending policies that governments could implement to improve the situation.

Back to top

Renewable Energy

The development of renewable sources of energy is another important approach to reducing carbon emissions and scientists on the NRP are collaborating in a multidisciplinary project to develop liquid biofuels from farm and food wastes and energy crops. The British Bioalcohols Group on the NRP has a mixture of microbiologists, plant scientists, molecular biologists, fermentation technologists and alternative energy specialists from the UEA, IFR and JIC working together to develop novel technologies for the production of carbon neutral liquid biofuels for vehicles.

Renewables East, funded by the East of England Development Agency, works to promote the development and uptake of a wide range of renewable energies including solar, wind, heat pumps amongst others. Renewables East is based in the ZICER building at UEA.

Oceans, land and atmosphere - processes and interactions

If we are to fully understand how the Earth's climate system functions we must first investigate the chemical, biological and physical processes that occur in the main components of our planet. Over 70 % of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean, and this mass of water plays a crucial role in determining the environment of the planet. Sea temperatures, for example, depend on the flow of water currents and this in turn will influence the diversity of life-forms that can live in particular places, both on and off-shore. Sea water also contains dissolved minerals and gases which are either produced or used by organisms living in it. These gases may also undergo important chemical reactions which have implications for the planets climatic system. The dissolved gases are of particular interest to NRP researchers, since these gases “cycle” between the oceans, atmosphere and soil. Detailed knowledge of the balance of the fluxes of gases between the oceans, atmosphere and soil is crucial for our understanding of the climate and the impact global warming. The impact of the land on climate is also very important through the effect of the plants, animals and microbes that live on it and the chemical processes occurring in the soils and rocks. There are a large number of specialists on the NRP who all contribute to understanding this complex issue.

More on ocean and atmospheric chemistry

The oceans also are a good place to look for other indicators of any fluctuations that might be happening to the Earth’s environment, for example, icebergs can reflect changes in the surface temperature of the planet. Modelling of icebergs and waves reveals fascinating insights into environmental variations which may have a significant impact on the future of the Earth.

Pollution

Thanks mainly to human activities, pollution affect all parts of the planet, including land, freshwater, oceans, the polar ice caps and the atmosphere. Pollutants may take several forms; for example, they may be tiny particles, heavy metals, chemicals or gases. Scientists on the NRP have a wealth of experience in monitoring the levels of contaminants in a range of environments, and are interested in studying the fate and impact of a number of different pollutants. The use of natural systems to clean up contaminated areas is of great interest, for example the bioremediation of land sites using composting techniques is being investigated. Other scientists are identifying specific naturally-occurring biological processes to help remove contaminants, such as bacteria that can use highly toxic organophosphate pesticides as an energy source. In areas of the world where such chemicals are still used, natural systems could offer opportunities for reducing the environmental impact of hazardous material.

Management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity

Biodiversity is highly dependent on the conditions of the local environment. The destruction of various natural habitats and resources has led to the decline of many species; a trend that scientists on the NRP are keen to reverse. While the development of societies has inevitably had a major environment impact, researchers are investigating ways in which such development is not at the expense of natural resources; rather than these resources are harnessed and managed in a sustainable way. Changes in farming practice have caused changes in the habitats of many species, including birds, plants and insects. Similarly fish stocks in some areas are declining due to over-fishing, or poor management, which has a knock-on effect on other species in the food chain. NRP scientists are also studying coastal zones, freshwater habitats and forests in an attempt to provide guidance for suitable management for the future.

More on population and conservation

More on managing global natural resources

Back to top

Waste management

Managing waste effectively is a major global environmental challenge, and the NRP is embracing this with a number of approaches ranging from the socio-economic to the technological. Working closely with a number of stakeholders, including Governments, regulatory authorities, industry and pressure groups, researchers are aiming to find solutions to the problem of sustainable waste management. Their projects include assessment of recycling schemes, appraisal of waste management options, as well as investigating the environmental and health impacts of waste.

New technologies to add value to waste are likely to be in great demand in the future. Large amounts of food materials are produced by the food industry that do not make it to the supermarket shelf. Much of these materials are currently disposed of in land-fill as waste but innovative methods for converting them into valuable co-products are being developed.

Risk

What is risk, and how do we perceive it? Research on the NRP suggests that we all have sophisticated mechanisms for calculating risk, and that consumers do not always demand “black or white” answers to issues which may have an element of risk associated with them. Such mechanisms underpin our preferences and decision-making, and areas of particular interest on the NRP include environmental, health, food and safety issues. Public perception of scientists and new innovation is also being investigated, which has led to the development of novel methods and ideas to be applied in public forums relating to communication and policy. Consumer surveys and polls have enabled public perception on a number of issues to be analysed, ranging from mobile phone masts to genetically modified foods.

More on risk

Back to top

Earthquakes and volcanoes

The impact of earthquakes can vary from a minor tremor to events that cause mass devastation, and while areas at particular risk can be identified, predicting the extent of a seismic event is more difficult. Extensive field work and analysis of historic major earthquakes is helping researchers develop computer models to help with decision-making and risk perception about future seismic events. Such information enables insurers, builders and engineers in the planning of future urban developments to minimise the potential impact of future earthquakes.

Like earthquakes, volcanic activity can be unpredictable in both its timing and impact. Understanding the environmental factors and identifying key indications prior to a volcanic event is helping NRP researchers’ advise on risk management in areas of the world where volcanoes are more frequent.

More on earthquakes and volcanoes

Back to top

Last Updated: 08/07/2010 16:13